Samsung launches Galaxy Note 8

Samsung hopes the new phablet will extinguish the memories of its fire-prone predecessor, which was withdrawn months after its debut. Fred Katayama reports.

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Samsung employees celebrated the launch of the company's new phablet with hands held high. They hope the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will extinguish the memories of its fire-prone predecessor that was withdrawn in October right after it debuted.
The new phone's screen is even bigger at 6.3 inches. The Note 8's dual rear cameras for close up and wide angle pictures offer image stabilization for clearer photographs. The S Pen stylus can be used to translate full sentences. And the phone features the voice-controlled assistant named Bixby that challenges Apple's Siri.
Samsung has bounced back from the safety concerns bedeviling it following the debacle over the Note 7, regaining the top spot with global market share of 22 percent.
All this comes just before the widely expected debut of Apple's 10th anniversary iPhone.
Analyst Jack Gold of J.Gold Associates:
SOUNDBITE: JACK GOLD, PRINCIPAL ANALYST, J.GOLD ASSOCIATES
"I think this device actually raises the bar quite a bit. And I don't think Apple's going to be able to meet it quite honestly. The Note in my opinion, we don't know about the new device yet - but certainly compared to what they've got today, the Note has a better camera. It has a better screen. It has the S Pen. It probably has a little better processor. It's got more memory."
The Note 8 goes on sale for $960 starting September 15. Verizon says it'll begin taking pre-orders on Thursday.

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